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| A view of the sign drivers soon will see at the I-10/32nd Street intersection. |
It’s a traffic signal you might not encounter daily, however ADOT plans on adding one to the I-10 interchange at 32nd Street near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drivers should be prepared for the change.
What are the rules?
A flashing yellow arrow means you can make your turn, but only when it is safe to do so. You must use caution and yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic – those drivers will have a green light.
Why make the change?
Increased traffic and recent development have translated to big daily backups at this intersection during the peak of rush hour…
The installation of a flashing yellow arrow means more vehicles per signal cycle will be able to make a left turn onto the westbound I-10 freeway entrance ramp. Right now left turns for northbound 32nd Street traffic only are allowed on a solid green arrow signal.
What’s the big deal?
Flashing yellow arrows are used by some Arizona cities and are popular in other states, but this will be the first for ADOT.
ADOT engineers have been monitoring the intersection and will continue to do so after the flashing yellow arrow is in operation. They’ll be looking at how well it works for traffic in this spot and will evaluate whether or not it might work for other ADOT intersections, too.
What else is there to know?
The flashing yellow arrow will be installed overnight on May 19 and drivers should expect restrictions so ADOT can adjust the signal timing and phasing.
And, don’t forget to use caution the first time you encounter a flashing yellow arrow … keep a close eye out for pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
For more on ADOT and traffic signals, check out our previous blog posts on ramp meters and this one on how ADOT coordinates with municipalities to synch signals.
Editor's Note: This blog post has been edited to correct an earlier version that incorrectly stated the intersection would need to close for work to be completed.
Editor's Note: This blog post has been edited to correct an earlier version that incorrectly stated the intersection would need to close for work to be completed.
They have some of these in Chandler and Gilbert too, specifically at the Dobson & 202 Santan intersection and the Santan Village Pkwy & 202 Santan intersection. It makes a huge difference! Please install more of these signals!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! I've passed on your comments to the traffic engineers involved on this project.
DeleteHow is a flashing yellow arrow different from a solid green on a left hand turn? Don't they mean the same thing; you must yield to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, etc. Is there some other benefit?
ReplyDeleteTypically, left turns are allowed only by a green arrow at ADOT intersections with TWO left turn lanes (this is one of those intersections). That means you'll get either a green arrow or a red arrow -- no chance to turn on the green solid light.
DeleteHowever, the yellow flashing arrow allows a left turn for cars in BOTH turning lanes -- as long as the turn is safe to make and the driver yields to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for this blog. It's been interesting to see the thinking behind ADOT.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share a letter I sent to the City of Mesa on this subject, for what it's worth.
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To Whom it May Concern --
I wanted to write you about the "Flashing Yellow Arrow." I have to deal with the one recently installed at Lindsay and Baseline frequently. I'm usually a fan of traffic control advancements. I love Gilbert's Lagging Lefts. I appreciate "turn on green arrow, don't on red arrows." I love rotaries. However, I despise the "Flashing Yellow Arrow."
I've been thinking about it and have come up with these fundamental issues with the "Flashing Yellow Arrow:"
*** Yellow Arrow * Generally * Means Go
As a society, our brains have been programmed that when we see a yellow arrow, it's still * generally * okay to "go." I find myself thinking, "Oh, a yellow arrow. The other traffic has a red." I see other people apparently thinking this way. But, this new system is deceiving as, as you know, the apposing traffic has a * green * - which is a formula for disaster.
*** Flash Means Problem
As I approach the intersection and see the flashing signal, I immediately think, "uh oh; there's a problem with the signal." Again, we have all been trained that flashing yellow or red lights mean you have to do something out of the norm as there is a problem (malfunction, Police Officer in control of the light) and completely alter your driving pattern.
I do see one advantage to this new system. The "Flashing Yellow Arrow" at the intersection just south of US-60 on Gilbert makes a lot of sense to me. In the middle of the night, when some poor soul just wants to turn into their apartment complex when no one is around, the "FYA" makes sense. It's the middle of the night; there is no traffic. The "brain" should make the special exception, check for oncoming traffic, then go. And, apparently, it's set to function just that way, only showing the "FYA" at night.
I hope this helps and I hope you will consider not continuing with this type of signal. I look forward to hearing your response.
Very Sincerely,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on flashing yellow arrows. We appreciate your comments!
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